Abstract

CORTICOSTEROID INDUCED HYPERGLYCEMIA-MECHANISM AND MANAGEMENT

Ramnath E.*, Melwin Raj A., Kowsalya Devi S. and Tamiljothi E.

ABSTRACT

Steroids are drugs that have been used considerably in a variety of conditions, both acute and chronic conditions. Although widely prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, glucocorticoids have several side effects, being hyperglycemia one of the most common and representative. Hyperglycemia is a blood glucose level higher than 125 mg/dl while fasting and higher than 180 mg/dl 2 hours postprandial. An affected person has impaired glucose tolerance, or pre-diabetes, with a fasting plasma glucose of 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl. Corticosteroids are artificial analogs of the natural steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. The result of glucocorticoids on glucose metabolism is probably the result of impairment of multiple pathways together with beta cell dysfunction. All sufferers who are commenced on steroid therapy need to have baseline glucose, as well as education on everyday self-monitoring of glucose. Hyperglycemia can cause vomiting, excessive hunger, thirst, fast heartbeat rate, vision problems, and other different symptoms. Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to serious health-related problems. Insulin is the therapy of preference in sufferers with persistent hyperglycemia ≥ 200 mg/dl. Several therapeutic schemes have been used, amongst which the use of prandial insulin has been included, and additionally primarily based on schemes of steroid dose and the body mass index of the patient. Steroid-induced hyperglycemia will likely resolve when steroids are discontinued. If you had insulin resistance before taking steroids, you may need oral or injection insulin, GCs are medicines that have been extensively used in a variety of medical conditions.

Keywords: Glucocorticoids, Hyperglycemia, Diabetes mellitus.